If you’ve been on Etsy for more than five minutes, you’ll know one thing for sure: Etsy loves to keep us on our toes. Just when you think you’ve cracked the code, the algorithm shifts. Suddenly, your views dip, your bestsellers vanish from search, and you’re left wondering what on earth just happened.
The truth is, Etsy’s algorithm is always changing. It’s not personal — it’s about keeping the marketplace fresh and relevant for buyers. But for us sellers, it can feel like starting from scratch. The good news? With the right mindset and strategy, you can adapt quickly and even use these changes to your advantage.
Why Etsy Updates Its Algorithm
Etsy wants happy buyers. That means constantly tweaking how listings are shown to:
- Highlight fresh and relevant products.
- Test new shop performance factors (like customer service, reviews, shipping).
- Keep search results from getting stale or spammy.
- Reflect changes in buyer behaviour and trends.
As frustrating as it is, these updates usually make the platform better long-term.
Step 1: Spot the Signs of an Update
You’ll usually notice:
- A sudden drop in views or sales across multiple listings.
- Competitors showing up in search when they weren’t before.
- A shift in the kinds of products trending on the homepage or “Etsy Picks.”
If it’s happening across the seller forums or in your community, you can bet Etsy has rolled out a tweak.
Step 2: Don’t Panic — Assess
It’s tempting to start rewriting every title and tag in a frenzy. Don’t. Take a step back and look at the bigger picture:
- Which listings are most affected?
- Did your traffic sources change (search vs. external vs. social)?
- Are your keywords still performing (check with eRank’s Keyword Tool)?
Sometimes the drop is temporary. Etsy often tests changes before settling.
Step 3: Refresh Key Listings
If the dip sticks around, start making strategic tweaks:
- Update photos — Etsy loves fresh visuals.
- Tweak titles and tags with up-to-date, trending keywords.
- Re-run Listing Audits to catch issues the algorithm may now weigh differently.
- Duplicate or renew important listings to give them a “newness” boost.
Step 4: Diversify Traffic
Relying solely on Etsy search makes you vulnerable to every algorithm shake-up. Build other channels that keep sales coming:
- Pinterest for evergreen traffic.
- Instagram for building a brand presence.
- An email list for promoting launches and sales directly.
That way, you’re not at the mercy of every tiny Etsy tweak.
Step 5: Keep Testing
Etsy favours sellers who adapt. Keep an eye on your stats, test small changes, and track what works. Over time, you’ll see patterns — and you’ll become less afraid of algorithm updates because you know how to pivot.
Final Thoughts
Etsy will keep changing. That’s a given. But instead of seeing updates as setbacks, treat them as prompts to refresh, experiment, and grow. Sellers who adapt don’t just survive Etsy’s shifts — they thrive.